High School Sports
Westhill lacrosse hazing called a 'mistake made by good people'
The evening of April 24th seemed like a typical night off for a group of high school lacrosse teammates in Central New York. With no game of their own, several members of the Westhill High lacrosse team took in another local contest, at a rival school, with plans to cap off their evening with a […]


The evening of April 24th seemed like a typical night off for a group of high school lacrosse teammates in Central New York. With no game of their own, several members of the Westhill High lacrosse team took in another local contest, at a rival school, with plans to cap off their evening with a stop at a local fast food restaurant.
The events which took place on the trip from the game to the restaurant, however, were anything but typical.
They also do not reflect the typical behavior of those allegedly involved in the hazing act, according to a former teammate who gave an exclusive interview to ABC News this week on Good Morning America.
Gage Talucci, a Westhill student in the junior class, who left the team a few weeks prior to the hazing incident said, “I think this was a mistake that was made by good people that I had known for many years,” during the interview.
The details of a hazing incident, which has brought international attention to this Syracuse high school community, continue to emerge. It has been described as everything from a criminal act of kidnapping to poor judgement by a group of high school kids looking to prank some of their teammates.
As described by Onodaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, the event was “hazing on steroids.”
As many as 11 teens were involved in the plan to prank the younger lacrosse players. According to multiple reports, the victims were in a vehicle that pulled over during the drive from the lacrosse game to a McDonald’s restaurant. The driver of the car claimed to be lost.
While the car was stopped, a large group of teens emerged from a wooded area, dressed in black, pretending to be kidnappers, according to Fitzpatrick. A number of the potential victims fled from the scene, but the perpetrators, which reportedly had at least one knife and a handgun, grabbed one of the players, threw a pillowcase over his head, tied him up and threw him in the trunk of a car. He was transported to another wooded area where he was released. Shortly thereafter, several of those involved returned to the area, picked up the victim and took him home. The entire incident was also captured on video.
The next morning, the victim’s family reported the incident to Westhill officials, as video of events began to circulate among members of the student body. According to a report by CNN, a school resource officer then reported the incident to the Onondaga County Sherrif’s office, leading to an investigation by the school district and the district attorney’s office.
Talucci told Good Morning America that he left the team to focus on school and his personal life, but said he has known many of the 11 students facing charges, the large majority of which are members of the Westhill lacrosse team, since middle school and describes them as “good people that made bad decisions.”
He went on to tell ABC, “I’ve known these boys for so long, this is not something I would have expected from any of them and anybody at Westhill for that matter. This whole story does not reflect every one of the athletes or students or anybody related to Westhill at all.”
Westhill lacrosse coach Aaron Cahill, who is in his first year with the team, claimed to have had no prior knowledge of the hazing plans during a lengthy statement on the matter on social media. He echoed Tallucci by saying the incident does not reflect the culture of the program which he said is “built on inclusion, kindness, and accountability.”
Shortly after news of the incident broke, Westhill School Superintendent Steve Dunham informed the school and its lacrosse families that he was cancelling the remainder of its season.
“Some may argue that all student-athletes should not be punished for the actions of a few. While I understand the perspective, we must address the culture of the program, and the most appropriate way to do that is with a reset,” Dunham said in an email announcing his decision.
Talucci termed this decision “unfair” and expressed concerned for those members of the team who were not involved.
“My worry about this whole thing is that it’s going to change the stigma that’s already been happening with lacrosse, that these boys are seen as degenerates and the whole community is just not good.”
Talucci’s mother, Rosemary, who was also part of the GMA interview, supported her son’s position.
“The boys who did this are good kids,” said Rosemary Talucci. “They do come from good families. They just made a huge mistake and I think a lot of schools can learn from that.”
High School Sports
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP
There were seven tennis teams (six boys, one girls) in playoff action on Tuesday with a ticket to the Round of 8 on the line. Find out who advanced closer to a chance at a state title, and whose season came to an end. Boys Tennis Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 4 Fairhaven 5, […]

There were seven tennis teams (six boys, one girls) in playoff action on Tuesday with a ticket to the Round of 8 on the line.
Find out who advanced closer to a chance at a state title, and whose season came to an end.
Boys Tennis
Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 4 Fairhaven 5, No. 13 Sandwich 0: The Blue Knights (15-7) came up short in their second playoff game. They defeated No. 20 Monument Mountain, 3-2, in the Round of 32.
Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 3 Monomoy 5, No. 14 Bourne 0: The Sharks (17-3) defeated the Canalmen (9-11) for the third time this season in a Cape playoff matchup.
Roman Pavluchenko defeated Joziah DeSouza in first singles (6-1, 6-1), Ryan Casey beat Jonathan Santucci in second singles (6-0, 6-0), and Zack Shields won third singles (6-1, 7-6 (8-6)) over Jake Roux.
Nick Hadden and Blake Noonan beat Nate Reynolds and Landon Hope in first doubles (6-2, 6-2), while Tom Hereford and Ethan Seufert defeated Doug Lunede and James Kirby.
Monomoy will play Cape opponent No. 6 Sturgis West for the first time this season in the Round of 8 at a date and time TBD.
Bourne defeated No. 19 Wareham 4-1 in the Round of 32 for its first playoff win almost a decade.
Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 5 Cohasset 5, No. 12 Falmouth Academy 0: The Mariners (6-6) were swept on the road to end their season. They swept No. 21 Ipswich in the Round of 32.
Div. 3, Round of 16: No. 8 Holliston 4, No. 9 Falmouth 1: The Clippers (14-4) ended their season on the road in the second round. They swept No. 24 Cardinal Spellman in the Round of 32.
Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 6 Sturgis West 3, No. 11 Lenox Memorial 2: The Navigators (10-2) handed Lenox Memorial their first loss of the season to advance to the Round of 8.
Ray Zhang beat Alex Kolean in first singles (6-0, 6-0), Francisco Garcia Raya defeated Ayden Shove in second singles (6-0, 6-0), and Robert Muhov closed the deal with a third singles (3-6, 7-6, 6-4) win over Edmund Pritchard.
Girls Tennis
Div. 3, Round of 16: No. 3 Martha’s Vineyard Reg. 3, No. 14 Boston Latin Academy 2: The Vineyarders (17-1) won a hard fought match to advance to the Round of 8, where they face No. 6 Newburyport at a time and date TBD.
Courtney Jacobs is the Sports Editor for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at cjacobs@capecodonline.com and follow him on X: @CJ_Journalist.
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.
High School Sports
WMOT's 'Roots on the Rivers' strikes a chord
With Americana music and a whole lot of tie-dye, WMOT’s Roots on the River might be the best start to the festival season in Nashville. The annual event returned to the Two Rivers Mansion on May 31 for eight hours of performances, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sam Bush and a surprise guest whose head-banging blues […]

With Americana music and a whole lot of tie-dye, WMOT’s Roots on the River might be the best start to the festival season in Nashville.
The annual event returned to the Two Rivers Mansion on May 31 for eight hours of performances, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sam Bush and a surprise guest whose head-banging blues left jaws dropped nearly on the floor.
The event offers festival-goers the opportunity to connect with their community through food and music, while at the same time supporting WMOT, a nonprofit public radio station.
“Every year I get to meet new people … this is a good time,” said Denise Tucker, a volunteer who travels from South Dakota for Roots on the River each year.

Read on for performance highlights from the one-day show.
Noeline Hofmann cooks with ‘Purple Gas’
The festival kicked off with up-and-coming country artist Noeline Hofmann and her band of Nashville natives. The 21-year-old rocked the stage with an hour-long set including songs from her new record, “Purple Gas.” Hofmann’s soulful music fit right in with the day’s other performances.
From Alberta, Canada, Hofmann attributes her love of country music to her family and hometown, which she calls “the Nashville of the North.”
“I’d say [my music is] lyric-driven and often country-rooted,” Hofmann said in an interview with Sidelines.
Hofmann ended her time on stage with an unreleased single about being a “honky tonk girl.” The lyrics nod to performing around the country and sleepless nights that accompany traveling as a band.
Roots on the River only kicks off Hofmann’s bustling summer.
This week, she returns to Nashville to perform at CMA Fest alongside one of her inspirations, Wynonna Judd. Later this season, Hofmann will share the stage with country-rock star Zach Bryan in Dublin, Ireland. – Liv Rapier
Aaron Lee Tasjan riffs with guitarist Laur Joamets
A three-time alum of Roots on the River, Aaron Lee Tasjan rocked the stage with electrifying back-and-forth guitar riffs and songs that rolled into rock.
The singer-songwriter and his band amplified the summer vibe with thrifted designer fits and retro-rock instruments.

Tasjan also brought out a guest musician, guitarist Luar Joamets, who the audience met with abundant applause. An Estonian musician, Joamets returns to Nashville after spending time on tour with Sturgill Simpson.
Tasjan and Joamets closed out the set by swapping guitar riffs. Fans reveled with the ruffled notes while swaying to the catchy tunes of “The Trouble Drinkin’” and “The Dangerous Kind.
On stage, Tasjan encouraged the audience to “show some support for a great radio station that plays authentic, real American music from the heart.” – DeAsia McClain
Liz Longley brings ‘New Life’
Liz Longley met the Nashville crowd with charming vocals akin to the singing of perched birds.
Blending country and folk, Longley utilized familiar sounds from her past albums and new music from her latest release, “New Life,” inspired in part by the birth of her daughter.
Longley calls the album a “sister” to her previous release, “Funeral from My Past.” As her songs navigate the feelings of death and rebirth, Longley compelled the audience to stop and take note of each melody’s underlying meaning.
Still, perhaps nothing sums up her music better than Longley herself, as she introduces her closing song: “Here’s the happiest blue song you’ll ever hear.” – Wren Bailey
Bronwyn Keyth-Hynes’ bluegrass surprise
Bluegrass artist Brownyn Keyth-Hynes performed songs from her new album “I Built a World” during the Saturday afternoon set.
After touring the states for the past few months, Keyth-Hynes accepted an invitation from WMOT to play at the Roots Festival following an interview with one of the station’s members. On stage, Keyth-Hynes and her band showcased the work put into the album.
“I always love playing festivals where there’s different genres of music,” Keyth-Hynes said in an interview with Sidelines.

Keyth-Hynes channeled a childlike spirit as she played the fiddle to a large crowd. The band played the “I Built A World” title track, as well as “Angel Island” and “Trip Around the Sun.” Bluegrass lovers watched in admiration as she shared the humble life stories behind her sweet string tunes. – DeAsia McCain
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ‘reels in’ a standing ovation
Months before the festival, organizers kept one performance a surprise. Turns out, it was Grammy Award-winning blues artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.
Taking a break from the day’s folksy-bluegrass feel, Ingram stood alone with his self-proclaimed “delta blues” style.
Ingram attributed his love for music to his community in a backstage interview with Sidelines.
“I grew up around my Mom, her side of the family, my uncles sang and played,” Ingram said. “I grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It’s a blues state.”
A three-person band held down the stage as Ingram made his way onto the lawn during his fourth song, “Not Gonna Lie.” The festival grounds were filled with an Unstoppable groove while Ingram and his band freestyled off each other. He earned a standing ovation after a three-minute guitar riff where Ingram jumped into the middle of the crowd.
By the end of his set, the crowd had crept up to the barricade, encaptured by the artist. – Liv Rapier
Sam Bush speaks up

Sam Bush closed the night by returning the festival to a familiar bluegrass sound.
Before beginning his set, more people lined the barricade to soak in the last of the night.
Bush and his band flooded the festival with harmonies, string instruments and an unexpected cover of “My Shot” from the hit musical “Hamilton.”
Besides passionate fiddle playing and anecdotes met with lyrical storytelling, Bush wanted to highlight the importance of events like WMOT’s “Roots.”
“Public radio and the airways of education TV [are] being threatened right now,” Bush said. “We can’t overstate the importance of supporting a radio station like WMOT to bring you quality music and programming of all kinds and all varieties, just like America.” – Wren Bailey
To contact the Features editor, email [email protected].
For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
High School Sports
HIGHLIGHTS
KINGSFORD, Mich. (WJMN/WBUP) – Athletes from high schools around the U.P. gathered in Kingsford on Saturday for the 2025 U.P. Track and Field Finals. Check out the winners from some of the weekend’s field events in the attached video. You can find a full list of event standings here. COPYRIGHT 2025 BY MY UP NOW […]


KINGSFORD, Mich. (WJMN/WBUP) – Athletes from high schools around the U.P. gathered in Kingsford on Saturday for the 2025 U.P. Track and Field Finals.
Check out the winners from some of the weekend’s field events in the attached video.
You can find a full list of event standings here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY MY UP NOW – WBUP/WJMN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED
High School Sports
Historic Wins Highlight USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25
Regional Rankings Northeast Top 10 Week 10 1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0 (1) 2. Nyack (N.Y.) 18-0 (2) 3. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 20-2 (3) 4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 16-3 (4) 5. Darien (Conn.), 17-2 (5) 6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 17-1 (6) 7. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-3 (7) 8. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 16-1 (8) 9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 16-2 (9)10. Garden City (N.Y.), […]


Regional Rankings
Northeast Top 10
Week 10
1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0 (1)
2. Nyack (N.Y.) 18-0 (2)
3. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 20-2 (3)
4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 16-3 (4)
5. Darien (Conn.), 17-2 (5)
6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 17-1 (6)
7. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-3 (7)
8. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 16-1 (8)
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 16-2 (9)
10. Garden City (N.Y.), 17-2 (10)
Mid-Atlantic Top 10
Week 13
1. Episcopal (Pa.), 18-0 (1)
2. Maryvale (Md.), 13-5 (2)
3. Manchester Valley (Md.), 19-0 (3)
4. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 13-5 (4)
5. McDonogh (Md.), 14-3 (5)
6. St. Paul’s Md., 12-4 (6)
7. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 18-3 (7)
8. Good Counsel (Md.), 18-3 (8)
9. Chatham (N.J.), 18-1 (9)
10. Stone Ridge (Md.), 17-5 (10)
South Top 10
Week 12
1. Cambridge (Ga.), 19-2 (1)
2. Milton (Ga.), 20-2 (2)
3. Lake Highland (Fla.), 20-4 (3)
4. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 18-3 (4)
5. Hockaday (Texas), 19-1 (5)
6. IMG Academy (Fla.), 10-4 (6)
7. Plant (Fla.), 24-0 (7)
8. Anderson (Texas), 12-1 (8)
9. Oceanside Collegiate (S.C.), 18-4 (9)
10. Providence Day (N.C.), 20-1 (10)
Midwest Top 10
Week 12
1. Loyola (Ill.), 21-2 (1)
2. New Trier (Ill.), 20-3 (2)
3. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 20-1 (3)
4. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 18-4 (4)
5. St. Francis DeSales (Ohio), 20-1 (5)
6. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 18-5 (6)
7. Carmel (Ind.), 19-3 (7)
8. Guerin Catholic (Ind.), 17-2 (8)
9. Prior Lake (Minn.), 14-0 (9)
10. Hudson (Ohio), 21-0 (10)
West Top 10
Week 13
1. Coronado (Calif.), 19-0 (1)
2. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 18-2 (2)
3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 17-1 (3)
4. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 17-5 (4)
5. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 20-2 (5)
6. Redwood (Calif.), 19-4 (6)
7. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 18-4 (7)
8. Evergreen (Colo.), 16-2 (8)
9. Mira Costa (Calif.), 18-1 (9)
10. Seattle Prep (Wash.), 13-2-1 (10)
High School Sports
06/02/2025 high school spring sports results
AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) – The Katahdin Cougars have officially locked up the #1 seed in Class D baseball. The team faced the Hodgdon Hawks and won 11-1. Josh Marting led the team batting 1-2 with three RBI and a double. Kaden DeLand was 1-1 with two RBI and Addison Young went 1-3, also with […]


AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) – The Katahdin Cougars have officially locked up the #1 seed in Class D baseball.
The team faced the Hodgdon Hawks and won 11-1.
Josh Marting led the team batting 1-2 with three RBI and a double.
Kaden DeLand was 1-1 with two RBI and Addison Young went 1-3, also with two RBI.
The Cougars are now 13-0 with one game left in the season.
As Caribou dominated girl’s and boy’s basketball, Katahdin is dominating baseball and softball.
The Lady Cougars won 11-1 behind an eight streikout pitching performance from Jayden Stevens.
Stevens also hit a two-run home run and a double.
Some other top hitters from that game: Polly Cullen hit two singles, Emily McNAlly hit two singles and a double, Dakota Stevens hit a single and a double, Piper Cullen, Avery Cullen, and Mickenzie Landry each hit a single.
The Presque Isle Wildcat’s girls’ tennis team faced the Waterville Panthers in the quarterfinals.
The Panthers won 3-2.
Alice Korzekwa and Sabine Wells-Puckett won their matches to earn two points for Presque Isle.
We are in the final week of regular season spring sports action.
Many teams playing doubleheaders to ensure all of their scheduled games are played.
Mount Desert Island traveled to Presque Isle for a doubleheader at 3:30 and 5:30pm.
The game was delayed as the grounds crew was repairing the field, the Wildcats had a comeback win in game one, 4-3.
Game two started nearly two hours after its scheduled time.
The Trojans scored the first run of the game on a sac fly, then James Downey drove in their second run of the game, 2-0 in the top of the second inning.
Still the second, Colin Sullivan was intentionally walked to load the bases which brought Alex Roos to the plate, he turned on this one, a deep ball off of the left field pole, his first grand slam of his high school career, that will open this game up.
The bats eventually started rolling for the Wildcats, Oliver Woollard will drive in their first run of the game, 6-1 MDI still leads in the bottom of the third.
The third inning was the best for Presque Isle, Ryan Blackstone was the next with a big hit, Brandon Porter and Woollard would score, MDI wins game two 10-4.
A little bit of early rain in Mars Hill didn’t delay the softball game.
Fort Fairfield on the attack first, they would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Lady Panthers get one run back in the bottom of the first, but the Lady Tigers trying to maintain their lead, Brianna Osterblom with the slide and score.
As the sun came out, so did Central Aroostook’s offense, Mackenzie Davis will tack on two runs for the home team, the Lady Panthers starting to take a bigger lead, Harleigh Allen and Aiden Kinney score.
As the game went on Central Aroostook pulled away, Lily Clair would triple here bringing in all runners, she also homered.
Fort Fairfield would score one more but the Panthers win 14-4.
Soak it all in… This could be the final time we see some highlights from Mars Hill this baseball season.
The Tigers starting strong coming off of their second loss of the season… Lucas Cormier leads off and doubles in the top of the first.
Cayden Ala batting second for Fort with Cormier still occupying second base, Ala gets his bat on the ball, it’s going to drop into the outfield, Cormier will round the bases and score while Ala replaces Cormier at second base.
Levi Cole was walked and Ala moved up to third base… Graedon King hits a groundball to Trace Kinney, Ala takes off as soon as the ball leaves his hand and scores, 2-0 Tigers with runners on the corners again.
Cole secured another run when he took home plate on a pass ball.. quickly 3-0 with no outs.
But that’s when the Panthers defense helped out, first with a double play, then a pop up to the infield would end this inning.
Fort Fairfield beats the Panthers in Mars Hill 17-5.
The Tigers last game of the season is against the only undefeated team in Class D North.
Katahdin will be in Fort Fairfield Wednesday at 4:30.
Presque Isle leading MDI 4-0 in game one of this softball doubleheader, Kolbie Langley will add onto that lead, Astra Laughton will cross the plate on a two out double from Langley here in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Mount Desert Island had their bats going as well, however Presque Isle’s gloves were on fire, Astra Laughton catches a bullet flying back to her.
The team would continue their strong defense holding the Trojans to no runs through five innings.
Top of the 6th inning, the Trojans running out of time to get five runs back and tie this game, a double here with no outs will set them up nicely.
They wouldn’t finish this game without scoring one, Astra Laughton goes nearly 6 innings without giving up a run.
The Lady Wildcats split the doubleheader.
In game one Presque Isle beat MDI 5-3 while in game two, MDI won 3-1.
The Northern Maine Moose closed out their home games this season with a win.
The Moose won 7-3.
Isaiah Ervin’s senior night ended with 3 goals and three assists, Colton Simoes scored two and 1 assist including a 92% face off win percentage.
Carter Carmichael and Eli Brown each netted one.
Head coach Adam Simoes said, “This was a great win but a tough night for me. This is the core group that started Northern Maine Moose. All players are special but when you look to where and who this program started. To share this victory is truly special.”
Copyright 2025 WAGM. All rights reserved.
High School Sports
Scouting Report Rundown
Commitment season has arrived, and with it some in-depth breakdowns of several new pledges from the past few days in the latest 247Sports Scouting Report Rundown. Today’s edition highlights 10 recently updated scouting reports, including five Top247 members (plus another four-star prospect), as well as several new commits across the country. The 247Sports national scouting […]


Commitment season has arrived, and with it some in-depth breakdowns of several new pledges from the past few days in the latest 247Sports Scouting Report Rundown. Today’s edition highlights 10 recently updated scouting reports, including five Top247 members (plus another four-star prospect), as well as several new commits across the country.
The 247Sports national scouting team is in the process of fulfilling updated scouting reports on the entire 2026 Top247. Simultaneously, we try to produce a significant number of scouting reports on players outside the Top247 with expected impending commitments.
Tuesday’s rundown, of course, features both. Here’s the latest SRR, leading off with some fresh evaluations on a trio of top 100 overall prospects in the 2026 class.
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